Google widely rolling out Gemini overlay redesign for Android

Abner Li | Jan 24 2025 - 9:58 am PT

Google is widely rolling out a redesign of the Gemini overlay and homepage on Android.

The Gemini overlay appears at the bottom of your screen when you say the “Hey Google” hotword, long-press the power button, or swipe up from the bottom corners.

Old vs. new

This redesign makes it much smaller, and simplifies the panel down to a ‘plus’ menu (for Camera and Gallery), the “Ask Gemini” field that you can tap for text input, microphone, and Gemini Live shortcut. Google has removed the split-screen multitasking handle and the ability to open the full Gemini app. The Google Assistant-esque “Good morning, afternoon, or evening” greeting is also gone.

As what you’re saying is transcribed, the text field will get taller, while the “Ask about screen,” “Ask about PDF,” and “Ask about YouTube” suggestion chips that appear above the overlay are now left-aligned instead of being centered.

The blue/purple glow around the perimeter is quite vibrant at this size, while the ring around the microphone replaces the old Material You shape for voice input.

Meanwhile, the Gemini app homepage has also been tweaked with this redesign. The pill housing the camera and voice input has been removed. The latter is now accessed from the ‘plus’ menu, which offers Files and Drive upload if you’re a Gemini Advanced subscriber. The microphone features the same glow ring when active, while the Gemini Live shortcut has been moved inside the container.

Inside the app, the “Ask Gemini” field is a pill, while the overlay uses the rounded rectangle (for whatever reason).

After slowly appearing in recent weeks, this Gemini overlay redesign should now be rolling out for all users. Google app 16.2.40 is hitting the stable channel so update in the Play Store before checking. (Force stop the Google app if you don’t have it.)

As of today, we’re seeing it on all devices we checked, including Samsung and the Pixel Tablet (which was not the case earlier this week). On that large screen form factor, the in-app Ask Gemini field no longer spans the entire length of your screen.